March, 2025

Let’s Talk Trash! 3 Ways to Reduce Waste Before it Hits the Ocean

As scuba divers, one of the most disheartening moments we can experience under the sea is having something shiny catch our eye only to discover it’s a piece of garbage. In Roatan, the majority of dives sites are relatively litter free. However, debris still makes its way onto pockets of our reef —  mostly brought in from other countries by currents.

For many, the trash pollution problem can be “out of sight, out of mind”. This is especially true if you don’t live near the ocean. But the trash we stumble upon diving, is a dirty little reminder that the waste we produce at home – even hundreds of miles away –  can still make its way into precious waterways. 

And it’s not just about plastic. While plastic is a major contributor, textiles and electronics are also major sources of waste that finds its way onto the reef.

The good news is that you can be a part of the solution and it doesn’t even require major lifestyle changes.

Trying to figure out how to reduce waste before it reaches the ocean? Here’s 3 easy ways:

#1. Avoid Single-Use Plastics

It’s no secret that single-use plastics are a big problem. According to a PADI Aware Study conducted in 2018, single use plastics accounted for 33% of all marine debris. One of the easiest things we can to do reduce waste, is minimize our consumption of single use plastics.

From food packaging to grocery bags, bottled water, straws and plastic cutlery, single use plastics break down over time becoming microplastics. 

Microplastics are then ingested by ALL living creatures. Even YOUR body is being polluted by microplastics. 

Just as alarming is the fact that recycling isn’t the answer to the plastic problem that we’ve been trained as consumers to believe it is. Want to learn more about the scary truth about recycling plastics? Check out this eye-opening article to further understand why plastic reduction is a better approach than recycling.

We know: it’s not realistic these days to shun single use plastic entirely. So here’s a few ways to reduce your reliance on it:

• Use a reusable water bottle. We love Hydroflasks that keep liquids cool or warm.

• Refuse plastic straws and cutlery at restaurants. Make sure to make this request when ordering take out as well.

• Avoid MicroBeads which are also considered to be microplastics. They are tiny plastic particles found in many personal care items such as face wash, toothpaste, and cosmetics. They are marketed as “exfoliants” but the reality is, they get washed down the drain and end up as waste. Micro-beads are also used as bulking agents in products such as detergents, to extend the shelf-life of a variety of cosmetics, and to control the release of active ingredients.

  You can also visit https://www.beatthemicrobead.org/ to learn more about what products contain microbeads and how to avoid them

• Buy in Bulk: If you live in North America, you likely have access to supermarkets that sell items in bulk. Buying in bulk means you end up with significantly less packaging waste. It typically saves you some money as well! Even Amazon offers to package your order together in order to reduce packaging waste. Read more about their initiative here https://sustainability.aboutamazon.com/waste/packaging Less packaging means less production and transportation of those packaging materials, which helps to make a smaller environmental impact.
  
  Buying in bulk isn’t limited to consumable items at the grocery store. Buying a 3-pack or 5-pack of t-shirts, underwear or any other clothing item is great for the environment too. 

#2. Slow down on fast fashion 

So many of us express ourselves through our style: the clothes we wear, the way we style our hair, how we accessorize. And fast fashion retailers have made it easier and cheaper to continuously reinvent ourselves and our look, season after season. 

According to the UN Alliance for Sustainable Fashion, textiles alone account for 9% of annual microplastic losses to the ocean. Not to mention, the industry accounts for 10% of global carbon emissions.

If you want to feel good about looking good, here’s how to reduce waste coming from your closet:

• Go for style, not trends:Invest in clothing and accessories that stand the test of time—both in quality and design. Timeless pieces never go out of fashion, allowing you to build a wardrobe that remains stylish season after season.

• Give secondhand clothing a second life: Shopping for secondhand clothing is like spotting a stylish outfit on someone and getting the chance to make it your own. Whether you’re browsing local thrift shops like Goodwill, curated consignment stores such as Buffalo Exchange, or vintage boutiques, secondhand shopping allows you to discover high-quality, one-of-a-kind fashion at a fraction of the price.

  And now, with the rise of online resale platforms, sustainable shopping is more accessible than ever. Websites like ThredUp, Poshmark, and Depop offer a vast selection of pre-loved clothing from top brands, making it easy to refresh your wardrobe while reducing textile waste.

• Host a Clothing Swap: Living on an island like Roatan means limited fashion options—whether new or secondhand. That’s why we’ve learned here that one of the best ways to refresh your wardrobe is by hosting a clothing swap. It’s a fun, sustainable, and social way to breathe new life into pre-loved pieces. And you don’t even have to spend a dime.

  The concept is simple: gather a group of friends, have everyone clean out their closets, and bring gently used clothing, shoes, and even household items they no longer need. Then, let the swapping begin! It’s like shopping in your best friends’ wardrobes, but without the price tag.Beyond the thrill of scoring new-to-you fashion, the real magic of a clothing swap is seeing someone fall in love with a piece you once cherished. It’s a reminder that style is cyclical, and clothing can have many lives. Plus, it’s an eco-friendly way to reduce waste.

  Add some music, snacks, and maybe a fashion show, and you’ve got yourself a stylish, sustainable gathering that’s as good for your closet as it is for the planet!

#3. Buy Mindfully to Reduce Waste 

The dopamine hit is real when it comes to online shopping. The instant gratification that we get with hitting the ‘Buy Now’ button or being able to immediately purchase something we see in a GRWM (get ready with me) reel can be downright addicting. But even if you don’t consider yourself a shopaholic, chances are that brand marketing tactics are filling up your online cart more than you realize. 

This digital phenomenon has led to not only a wild surge in the purchase of plastic, textile and other goods, but also in the number of product returns. You might think you’re being a responsible consumer by returning a product to go back on the shelf, but the sad truth is that most returned goods go straight to the landfill. 

Curious about the ways brands entice you to buy more and where all those returns end up? Check out Buy Now: The Shopping Conspiracy streaming on Netflix. 

Want to consume more mindfully? Find ways to use the old PADI saying “Stop. Think. Act.” before you buy so you can not only reduce waste, but save money for that next dive trip! 

• Remove 1-Click Buying Features: If your favorite online retailer has a 1-click button that allows you to purchase items without reviewing your cart – remove that feature. Here’s how to remove one click on Amazon. Just by eliminating this feature you’ll significantly reduce impulse purchases.

• Don’t store your credit card information. Removing your credit card information from “auto fill” options in your phone or on your web browser is another easy way to create a pause before purchase. Trust us, if you have to get up from the couch to go find your credit card, you’re definitely going to think twice about whether the purchase is worth it!

Take further action against marine debris and plastic pollution

You can join one of monthly beach cleanups or PADI Dives Against Debris at our Adopt the Blue site: Candela’s Zen. 

There are also a number of charities that are actively working to combat plastic pollution by focusing on reducing plastic waste through cleanup efforts, advocacy, research, and education initiatives. 

Not sure which one to choose? Here are a few of our faves:

The Ocean Cleanup:
Primarily focused on developing technologies to remove large quantities of plastic from the ocean, particularly in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. 

Ocean Conservancy:
Conducts beach cleanups, advocates for policy changes, and raises awareness about marine plastic pollution. 

5 Gyres Institute:
Conducts research on plastic pollution in oceans, rivers, and streams, highlighting the scale of the problem. 

Plastic Pollution Coalition:
Works on advocacy and communication strategies to promote solutions for plastic pollution. 

World Wildlife Fund (WWF):
Advocates for global policy changes to reduce plastic pollution, including a legally binding treaty on plastic waste.

Most of the charities that we’ve highlighted have petitions that need signatures to pass and hold campaigns for positive change. Be sure to check back frequently with your favorites to see if there are more ways you can get involved and be a part of the change.

Ready to get started? You can help us ban petrochemical sunscreens, another major pollutant in Roatan from the comfort of your couch! Visit https://sundiversroatan.com/reef-safe-sunscreen-roatan/ to read about it and be sure to sign the petition.